‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘House of the Dragon’: How did Dorne resist Targaryens rule successfully for over a century?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It is a known fact that avid fans have been giving the prequel ‘House of the Dragon’ plaudits and accolades ever since its first episode premiered last week. But apart from the fictional world in acclaimed novelist George RR Martin’s ‘Fire & Blood’ which is being represented in the series, there are many interesting and eccentric stories beyond the struggles for the Iron Throne and Westeros. One of them is how Dorne stand their ground as an independent modern country against Targaryen rule for more than a century.
Before the second highly-awaited episode airs this weekend, we take a look at the amazing back story behind King Aegon I Targaryen’s failed attempt to conquer Dorne, which led to Dorne remaining unchallenged for more than a century after that.
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King Aegon I Targaryen and his sister-wife Rhaenys' failed war campaign
According to Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ novels, it is true that King Aegon I Targaryen and his sister failed quite badly in conquering and invading the country of Dorne, even though they were successfully in bringing every other region of Westeros under their rule. What is interesting is that before the War of Conquest, Princess Meria Martell, who had been the ruling Princess of Dorne, had offered an alliance to Aegon against the Storm Kings. Aegon, who was actually not looking interested in alliances but in submission, did not accept her offer of friendship. Instead he began his war of conquest. Aegon's sister-wife, Queen Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) led an army into Dorne in a battle that lasted till 32 AC. However, the Dornish folk refused to give in and ended up hiding in their land when all else failed, melting away in their mountains and deserts. Even after Rhaenys captured the holdfasts, it made no difference. It so happened that there was no man to be found but only hordes of women and children. Eventually, Rhaenys flew to Sunspear on her dragon Meraxes. After reaching there, Meria, the ruling Princess of Dorne, told her to leave their country immediately. She also mentioned that Rhaenys was no longer welcome in Dorne.
Dornish men resisted Targaryen rule in first Dornish War
Aegon successfully captured the other kingdoms of Westeros to unify them under the name of House Targaryen. But conquering Dorne was impossible since the Dornishmen resisted the Targaryens in the ‘First Dornish War’. Though this war was devastating for both the Targaryens and Dorne, we saw how the Dornishmen remained strong-willed. Targaryen armies tried their level best in entering Dorne through the Red Mountains in the west but did not survive. They all got brutally slaughtered in the narrow valleys and choke-points. A lucky shot from a scorpion-bolt even managed to kill Queen Rhaenys dragon Meraxes by piercing it through the eye.
Not only that, but even Queen Rhaenys got killed when the dragon fell to the ground. This war lasted for nine years and was fought from 23 AC to 32 AC. During this deadly war, every town and castle in Dorne was burned at least once by the Targaryens who wanted them to bend. Even after bearing all these adversities, Dorne remained rebellious.
Meria’s death and Dornish independence
This war finally got over when ruling Princess Meria died of old age. She was succeeded by her son Prince Nymor who eventually also got tired of war and offered the Targaryens peace on equal terms. He announced that Dorne would always be an independent country. The Targaryens had to focus on reining in the other six newly-conquered kingdoms so they gave in to this truce. Dorne remained a free, liberal and progressive country for more than a century after that.